We know more about the music festival project with international stars in Toulon

The director of events and congress of the local public company (SPL) Toulon Métropole, who especially took control of Zénith two years ago, in the midst of the Covid-19 epidemic, has never stopped. He had just “recovered”, besides his many hats, from the Jazz festival in Toulon. “This is not a job”evacuation with a Robert Albergucci smile.

What do you remember from 2022?

There was the Song of the Year show, Mika, for 20,000 people which went really well, Zénith, where we had a great year. As for the tourism business, it has really started again since we took over in 2017. Moreover, in 2022, we have the best turnover in the history of the convention center. With six congresses, a record.

We sometimes hear that Toulon is stuck between Marseille and Nice. What do you think?

Yes, we were told that for concerts, we were told that for tourism business. In the end, in both cases, we have nothing to be ashamed of. For example, at Zénith, whether in terms of programming or fill ratio, we play Angèle full, M full… We have a real concertgoer in Toulon. There is real demand. I trusted him from the start. This is it, we were right. On the other hand, supply creates demand: quality concerts are needed.

And for the Palais des Congres?

The same. Of course, there are congresses that cannot be taken. But we have stations that arrive downtown, it’s a city on a human scale, and now we also have amazing hotel and restaurant deals. For delegates, all of that is important. I think we have a good card to play today. Other than that, there are good forecasts for 2023, in particular with the return of the medical congress to Toulon.

What do you think this is because?

Toulon often appears on TV. As well as La Chanson de l’année, or Arnaud Ducret’s comedy show, TF1 for example is also in Toulon for the broadcast of the World Cup final, and even a few days ago, the city was on the 1pm newscast.

Is this exhibition so important for Toulon’s image?

Yes, let’s be honest. And there’s also an artistic impact. Because ever since TF1 came to shoot in Mourillon Beach, contact with production has become increasingly fluid. I feel like highlighting the city in general. it makes my job easier.

How about a new music festival you want to start?

This year, the front yard of Zénith will be rehabilitated. We’re going to make the clean tar first. Before redoing all the lighting, so that in 2024 we can have this festival outdoors. The concept is three or four dates over the summer, but not in a classic festival format. possibly four concerts spread over the summer, the dates are not fixed.

The idea is to try to bring in big international names?

Yes. We started from the observation that nowadays, with Arenas, it’s less and less easy to have international artists at Zenith, which is limited to 8,000 or 8,500 places. There, the goal is to have a gauge with 10-12,000 seats, which will allow us to do international business. Of course, there will be paid concerts there. Everything else, jazz, summer concerts, etc., remains free. That’s the mayor’s will.

What are you most proud of?

Proud, I do not know. But I’m happy with everything we managed to do. To succeed, after Covid, to do a free outdoor concert by Mika, to present TF1, and most importantly to bring Zénith back to life. But also the Palais des Congrès, the ice rink, where we made 25,000 entries over the holidays… In fact, they all make me happy. This is a great mission.

What can we pray for in 2023?

Let all the concerts fill. Same for the convention center. But I’m not worried. There are beautiful celebrations, even in these bleak times. We were all afraid that concerts, shows, would be the first budget cuts. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. People need to laugh, decompress and see each other.